GPS system will track students entering and leaving the buses.

Published: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at 5:16 a.m.

Facts

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSES

For $50,000, system will monitor whether students get on a bus, and when the exit the vehicle during a trial period

51 school buses will be tested with the devices around the county

Students will be given cards that will automatically be scanned, whether in a backpack or clothing, when students enter the bus

System will pinpoint location of buses (and students on them) for the school district

OCALA - A new global positioning satellite system will soon be added to 51 school buses as part of a three-month pilot program to track students and buses and determine other transportation needs in the county.
"The main reason for this is student safety," said Tommy Crosby, Marion County Public Schools' executive director of student services. "We will test this through the summer to see if it is something we would like to install in all buses."
The School Board voted Monday night for the new pilot system, which will cost about $50,000 during the trial period. The School Board will test the product through Sarasota County's school district contract with Everyday Wireless Inc.
District spokesman Kevin Christian said the buses would be equipped with student identification card sensors.
When they get on the bus, the sensor will detect the student card, whether it's in a backpack, on a chain or in their pocket, Crosby said.
"If a parent called in and said their child did not get off the bus, we can immediately call up the information," Crosby said.
He added the data will show whether the child got on the bus and where and when they got off.
Among an estimated 400 district buses, 51 will be fitted with the devices, Crosby said. He said routes will be chosen in all four quadrants of the county.
School officials like the concept behind the student tracking system.
In the event of a bus accident or if a bus is just delayed, as several were a few weeks ago due to a fire in the Ocala National Forest, the district will know exactly who is on the bus.
"We will be able to immediately identify those people on the bus so that we can contact their families," Crosby said.
The devices will also provide other information to school officials, allowing them to track how long buses sit idle each day, how long it takes for a driver to complete a route and how many students are riding a particular bus each day.
The school system will send letters to parents of students who ride the 51 buses chosen for the pilot program.
Crosby said the district expects there will be bugs with the system at first, which is why they wanted a trial program.
For instance, if a child forgets his identification, then he could be riding the bus without being tracked.
Crosby hopes to start using the system in April.
School Board member Sue Mosley said she has pushed for the GPS system in recent years, not just as a way to track students, but as a way to save taxpayer dollars by preventing drivers from using buses for personal trips.
"We can make sure that these buses are being used as they are intended," said Mosley, adding the student tracking is also a valuable asset. "I think this will be a great program."Senior Reporter Joe Callahan may be reached at joe.Callahan@starbanner.com or at (352) 867-4113.

OCALA - A new global positioning satellite system will soon be added to 51 school buses as part of a three-month pilot program to track students and buses and determine other transportation needs in the county.<BR>
"The main reason for this is student safety," said Tommy Crosby, Marion County Public Schools' executive director of student services. "We will test this through the summer to see if it is something we would like to install in all buses."<BR>
The School Board voted Monday night for the new pilot system, which will cost about $50,000 during the trial period. The School Board will test the product through Sarasota County's school district contract with Everyday Wireless Inc.<BR>
District spokesman Kevin Christian said the buses would be equipped with student identification card sensors.<BR>
When they get on the bus, the sensor will detect the student card, whether it's in a backpack, on a chain or in their pocket, Crosby said.<BR>
"If a parent called in and said their child did not get off the bus, we can immediately call up the information," Crosby said.<BR>
He added the data will show whether the child got on the bus and where and when they got off.<BR>
Among an estimated 400 district buses, 51 will be fitted with the devices, Crosby said. He said routes will be chosen in all four quadrants of the county.<BR>
School officials like the concept behind the student tracking system.<BR>
In the event of a bus accident or if a bus is just delayed, as several were a few weeks ago due to a fire in the Ocala National Forest, the district will know exactly who is on the bus.<BR>
"We will be able to immediately identify those people on the bus so that we can contact their families," Crosby said.<BR>
The devices will also provide other information to school officials, allowing them to track how long buses sit idle each day, how long it takes for a driver to complete a route and how many students are riding a particular bus each day.<BR>
The school system will send letters to parents of students who ride the 51 buses chosen for the pilot program.<BR>
Crosby said the district expects there will be bugs with the system at first, which is why they wanted a trial program.<BR>
For instance, if a child forgets his identification, then he could be riding the bus without being tracked.<BR>
Crosby hopes to start using the system in April.<BR>
School Board member Sue Mosley said she has pushed for the GPS system in recent years, not just as a way to track students, but as a way to save taxpayer dollars by preventing drivers from using buses for personal trips.<BR>
"We can make sure that these buses are being used as they are intended," said Mosley, adding the student tracking is also a valuable asset. "I think this will be a great program."<BR>
<i>Senior Reporter Joe Callahan may be reached at joe.Callahan@starbanner.com or at (352) 867-4113.<BR></i>